Nutritional supplement for increasing cognitive functions

Abstract

The invention provides compositions and methods that are effective to improve NO production in vivo and/or to increase NO levels in blood. Such compositions and methods are useful to increase oxygenation of the brain and to improve cognitive function.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A unit dosage form suitable for oral administration to a human comprising:
 L-citrulline 500 mg±20 mg; 
 L-arginine 250 mg±20 mg; and 
 at least about 5 mg piperine. 
 
     
     
       2. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  that comprises at least about 5.0 mg piperine. 
     
     
       3. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  that comprises at least about 5.3 mg piperine. 
     
     
       4. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  that comprises at least about 5.5 mg piperine. 
     
     
       5. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  that further comprises microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate. 
     
     
       6. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  that comprises at least about 480 mg of L-citrulline. 
     
     
       7. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  that comprises at least about 490 mg of L-citrulline. 
     
     
       8. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  that comprises at least about 500 mg of L-citrulline. 
     
     
       9. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  that comprises at least about 230 mg of L-arginine. 
     
     
       10. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  that comprises at least about 240 mg of L-arginine. 
     
     
       11. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  that comprises at least about 250 mg of L-arginine. 
     
     
       12. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  that comprises:
 about 500 mg of L-citrulline; 
 about 250 mg of L-arginine; and 
 about 5 mg of (2E,4E)-5-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-1-(piperidin-1-yl)penta-2,4-dien-1-one. 
 
     
     
       13. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  wherein the piperine is synthetically produced piperine. 
     
     
       14. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  wherein the piperine is an extract from the fruit of Piper. 
     
     
       15. The unit dosage form of  claim 12  that further comprises microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and magnesium sterate. 
     
     
       16. The unit dosage form of  claim 1  that is formulated as a capsule, powder, or liquid. 
     
     
       17. A method to increase NO levels in the blood of a mammal comprising administering a unit dosage form of  claim 1  to the mammal. 
     
     
       18. A method to increase oxygenation of the brain in a mammal comprising administering a unit dosage form of  claim 1  to the mammal. 
     
     
       19. A method to improve cognitive function in a mammal comprising administering a unit dosage form of  claim 1  to the mammal.